In an emotionally charged visit to the Children’s Hospital in Srinagar on Sunday evening, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo made it clear—patients deserve better, and the government is not turning a blind eye anymore.
With visible concern and frustration, Minister Itoo addressed the media, shedding light on a troubling issue that many families in Kashmir quietly endure. “These very doctors are pushing our people—our children, our elders—into the hands of private hospitals. When a doctor doesn’t care, when they refuse to treat a serious case with urgency, what option does a family have? They’re left with no choice but to pay enormous sums for treatment elsewhere,” she stated.
The Minister’s words didn’t just echo inside hospital corridors—they resonated deeply with ordinary Kashmiris who have long spoken about these challenges but often felt unheard.
According to Itoo, the government has received numerous complaints about such behavior and is taking them seriously. “We have already initiated an inquiry. We cannot allow this kind of negligence to continue,” she affirmed.
This intervention comes in the wake of a highly publicized strike at SMHS Hospital, during which operating theatres were reportedly shut. Since then, Minister Itoo has conducted a series of surprise inspections at major hospitals across the Valley—including SMHS Srinagar, JVC Bemina, Emergency Hospital Qazigund, and District Hospital Pulwama.
What she found was troubling: missing staff, poor hygiene, and patients left in limbo. In response, she has reiterated that the government’s top priority is the dignity and welfare of every patient. And her message to healthcare professionals is clear—there will be accountability.
“No one should have to choose between proper treatment and financial ruin,” the Minister said firmly.
The public now waits to see whether this inquiry will bring real change—and whether those entrusted with saving lives will be reminded of the oath they once took.
